Unions Show Solidarity Against First Round of "Right to Work" Proposals

Unions Show Solidarity

More than 400 union members packed the House Governmental Operations Committee hearing room, outside halls, and overflow room at last Thursday’s hearing of House File 192 which included a so-called “Right to Work” constitutional amendment, a wage freeze for public employees and removal of PELRA laws.

“Right to Work” laws, commonly referred to by working people as ‘Work for Less’,  ban collectively bargained union-security agreements that require workers to pay for union representation. The amendment was removed from the bill, however, the bill passed committee in a strict party-line vote.

This strong turnout is just one example of working people fighting back against policies that will hurt middle class families.

Don’t be fooled; the fight has just begun. All we have to do is turn our gaze eastward to our neighbors in Wisconsin to see even more extreme violence against working people.

Quick mobilization is key

The Minnesota AFL-CIO is leading the charge against ‘Right to Work’ proposed legislation. Affiliates worked together quickly when notice of the hearing was learned last Monday afternoon. Union members made hundreds of calls and sent emails to their legislators urging them to vote no on HF192. Members also submitted letters to the editor to local newspapers. Union activists flyered around key legislators’ neighborhoods as well.

Education Minnesota, AFSCME Council 5, MNA, IAFF, and Pipefitters were among the unions that gave testimony along with MN AFL-CIO’s President Knutson against the proposed constitutional amendment and the entire bill.

Continue the advocacy. Show up at the MN State Capitol on Wednesday, February 16 at 11:30 for the rally for Working Families Day on the Hill, then lobby your legislator. We will provide talking points, you provide what makes Minnesota work…YOU!

For more information, here’s a link to Workday Minnesota’s article: http://workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4755